Bradford Council will this week advertise across Europe for a private partner to run its buildings and properties which are worth up to £1 billion.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Executive member for the economy, said today that the buildings - including Grade I-listed City Hall - needed about £250 million of repairs and improvements which the Council could not afford.

Now an advertisement has gone in the European Journal inviting companies to express an interest in managing the 600 buildings including sports centres, libraries, theatres, swimming pools and offices.

Coun Cooke said: "It is a huge project and the Council has an enormous and very diverse portfolio. You are not just talking about office blocks - you name it and we've got it. We have golf courses, farms, The Woolpack at Esholt and many other things."

He added the Council did not want 'widespread sell-offs' to raise the cash to upgrade the buildings but wanted to have the partnership in place by next year.

"It is essential that we improve Council accommodation to ensure it meets the needs of our services and customers. To do this we need to thoroughly review the contribution of our assets which will involve substantial and rapid investment in the district's public buildings."

The Council's acting chief executive, Philip Robinson, said: "This is the start of the formal procurement stage which involves seeking expressions of interest from potential partners. These proposals will be evaluated and a recommendation made to the Executive Committee before a final decision is made.

"It is an important project for the district and we must ensure the right decision is made for the benefit of the district."

The responses from companies will be examined and followed by interviews. The applicants will be invited to visit Bradford to see the buildings, and negotiations and the contract will start in the autumn.

Requirements to make public buildings accessible for disabled people are one of the biggest financial headaches the Council faces because of the cost involved.

Coun Cooke said private companies could borrow from sources not open to the public and their methods of making profits would be examined when the submissions came in.